Demons defeated by Chiefs

By Derek Helling, Sports Editor | Feb 13, 2014

Photo by: Derek HellingWashington junior Daryn Sebelius shoots the ball at home against Keokuk on Thursday, Feb. 12. Sebelius scored 16 in the game to lead Washington in scoring but the Demons lost the Southeast Iowa Conference game to the Chiefs 63 - 51.

The Washington High School boys’ varsity basketball team played its second game in as many days and fourth in the last seven days at home against their Southeast Iowa Conference opponent Keokuk Chiefs. Even though the Demons were a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw line in the game, Keokuk prevailed 63 – 51.After three lead changes in the first quarter, the Chiefs began to hit from 3-point range and crash the boards on the offensive end to go on a run and put themselves up 21 – 10. “Keokuk is a long team; you can’t float the ball against them. We were able to get in position to get some really good looks on the lower blocks, we just couldn’t get the ball there. Our passes were just a second too late,” Washington head coach Bryce Smeins said.Washington was able to eat into that lead a little in the second quarter, sending both teams to the locker room with the score at 33 – 24, Chiefs’ advantage.“We had some good stretches and were able to hang around very well,” Smeins commented.Keokuk came back out and was able to continue to hit from 3-point range in the third quarter to get their lead back up to 11. At the beginning of the fourth quarter the score was 51 – 40.The Demons went on a run to start the final quarter and twice had chances to cut the Chiefs’ lead to three or fewer points but were unable to get a basket when they most needed it.“We played a lot better game tonight than last night. Their offensive rebounding killed us. We just need to find a way to make plays when we need points and improve our rebounding,” Smeins added. The Demons are now 6 – 11 overall, 1 – 5 in SEC games. Washington takes the court again on Friday, Feb. 14 at home against conference foe Mt. Pleasant.